The first three years of life are critically important for a child’s brain development. Experiences during this time can have life-long effects on intellectual, emotional, and social functioning. The months a baby spends in the womb, along with the first 12 months after birth, are arguably the most important time of all. During this period, specialized brain cells called neurons are forming connections with each other, creating the networks that underlie thinking, learning, and feeling.

Premature delivery — birth before 37 full weeks of gestation — is the leading cause of death among infants in the U.S. Babies who survive a preterm birth remain vulnerable to a host of health complications. The earlier the baby is born, the higher the risk.